Monday, September 26, 2016

The temple trip with my first baptism should be this week. It turns out that last week was his interview. I hope to go this Friday before conference.

About the baptism, sad news, it was canceled last minute. Saturday we were all ready, the pila (baptismal font) filled, clothing organized. The baptism was scheduled for 4 PM. Our investigator calls us saying that she had some make-up classes she had to take today. School vacations are right now in October instead of over the summer so in order to qualify for next years classes she had to stay in school from 8 AM until 6 PM to finish up the make-up classes. Due to the General Women's Conference broadcast at 6 PM we couldn't push back her baptism later that evening. My companion was pretty upset about all this. I was pretty down in the blues over the weekend, but what can you do, life is like that sometimes. We are looking at another date in October, not sure when yet, but with general conference next week we cannot baptize for a little bit (they must be confirmed a Sunday where the congregation is present).An open house the 1st of January sounds like fun. I won't be going anywhere else that day, besides perhaps to visit Jared if he is home. Whatever you guys would like to do. The 15th of January sounds nice. It gives me more time to prepare a homecoming talk for the ward. I am sure that everything and everyone has changed back home. Oh well, guess I get to make new friends. I would love to help you with those wooden tables dad. I don't have a clue how I could help, but I am willing! Lets see our ward children's primary program was Sunday as well, and the church was packed. We meet 8 AM there which is pretty early, but totally worth it. Makes me think how I can't wait to spend time with my little niece and nephews!!!My new companion is a great artist. I sent you some pictures of the artwork of a member in our ward. I hope you enjoy them.Loves,Elder Perez

Monday, September 19, 2016

Everyone has been so busy as of late, how fun! I have been running around a lot as well due to our lessons we plan. Our appointments can at times be far apart. We have a baptism this Saturday. I am actually shocked that the mother gave us permission to baptize her daughter. I was expecting the worst. My companion was persistent though and I added my testimony that if she allowed her daughter to be baptized that the family would see blessings, then she said "yes." Whaaaa???!! We have lots to do now to prepare for Saturday. A few other Elders are also baptizing soon and so we all are helping each other.I should be going to the temple this week to see my first baptism through the temple. I am pretty excited for that.

I made tortillas with a family of the ward Saturday night, they were good and I am hoping to learn well enough to make some for you all by the time I get home. We have helped out two families cut grass with a machete which took some time to do, but it was fun. Besides that it has been raining here off and on with some pretty cool thunderstorms.

I will be looking into applying for BYU-Idaho soon. So much to do so little time. Sure do love you all!!!! Much love!Elder Perez

Monday, September 12, 2016

My companion is from Lima Peru and has about 15 months on the mission. He is a convert of three years and a great example to me. I told him about President Blunck and described him and his wife. He is pretty sure that he knew him when he was serving as mission president in Peru. I haven't been sight seeing lately, but I have felt like a true explorer in this area. We cover a huge amount of area. We live in a really nice neighborhood on top of a hill. We have to walk a ton to make it to all of our appointments. It is totally worth it for the exercise and all. Also, most of the members live nearby and we almost always have a dinner appointment at night to wrap up the day.

This past week here has been good. My companion and I are still going to the church gym regularly and we are really seeing the results of our workouts. I have started up that protein powder I had been saving and I am feeling a lot better about my health. I drink the protein for breakfast and I am drinking more water. Members have been kind enough to feed us about every other day. I hope Lauren and dad have a great birthday celebration and party! I wish I could be there, but it is better that I don't eat cake right now, trying to cut out sweets from my diet. Way to go Mom and Krysten, tag teaming dads birthday breakfast like that. I am sure it was great! Hope Lexie and her family get well soon, it's no fun being sick.I'm glad to hear that David and Lauren have decided on a real date, even though they were pressured into picking one. Oh well, a little pressure is good every now and then right? Well I guess I will be able to see the wedding and all, so that's really cool! The new ward found out that I play piano and they enlisted my help yesterday. They have a pianist and all, but they want us to take turns playing. Anyway the wards piano is pretty crummy. I had to play the songs one or two octaves higher than written because the keys were so bad. If I stay here until my last month I will most likely give away my keyboard to this ward. I will be sure to send photos next week!

Monday, September 5, 2016

Well opening an area never is easy, but it is always fun. I am just hoping that I stay here for these last four months of my mission. I don't really like moving around and I would be pretty sad if I was changed to a new area right before December.

This area was closed for about 4 weeks before we arrived, but the members sure have been a big help. It sure is nice to be welcomed when you are new to an area. One member couple gave us dinner and showed us around the neighborhood which was really nice of them. Another member family made us a traditional Ukrainian dish (the mother is from there). It was super cool for me to talk with here since both of us are speaking a second language.

All has been going well here. We are going to the gym daily and I am feeling a lot better about myself because of it. We are a lot stronger as a zone here and we do stuff together regularly. Elder H is a great leader and really is doing a fantastic job here. We started from the bottom up here, but now we have some really good investigators who could possible be baptized!Please give everyone who has gotten married or is getting married soon congratulations on my part.Got to go, love you all!!